Fluvanna Review Staff
With dove hunting season beginning in Virginia this month, Firefly Broadband officials are reminding hunters to watch for power and fiber-optic lines before taking a shot.
As high-speed internet has expanded across Central Virginia in recent years, fiber-optic cables have been installed beneath existing power lines.
Although fiber-optic cables have protective coverings, birdshot can penetrate them and break the delicate glass fibers that carry internet and communications signals.
“Damage to fiber during dove season is a new phenomenon for Firefly, broadband providers, and local hunters,” said Firefly President and CEO Gary Wood. “These folks have been hunting the same land for years and rarely caused damage by shooting at doves on power lines.”
A single blast can damage electrical or communications equipment, potentially interrupting power or internet service to hundreds of nearby homes and businesses. Outages can also disrupt communications used by 911 dispatchers and emergency responders.
In 2025, Firefly identified 22 incidents of birdshot damage to fiber lines. The incidents caused more than $25,000 in damage and resulted in a combined 12,661 customer-hours without broadband service. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources reported that lines damaged by gunfire caused more than 300,000 customer-minutes of outages statewide.
Hunters who damage utility infrastructure could be held financially responsible for repairs and may also face criminal charges. Intentionally damaging certain utility equipment can constitute a Class 4 felony under Virginia law.
Before firing, state and Firefly officials caution, hunters should identify any power lines, fiber-optic cables, transformers or other utility equipment near or behind their intended target. If a bird lands on a wire or utility structure, hunters should allow it to fly away before attempting a shot.
Hunters should also consider what lies beyond a flying bird. Shotgun pellets can travel well beyond the immediate target area and may strike lines or equipment that are difficult to see from a distance.
